STOCKTON, Calif. – A solid second-half comeback fell just short as the Pacific women's basketball team (2-2) fell to Rice (4-0) 89-79. 

The Tigers fell behind early as the Owls shot 50% in the first quarter to take a 22-12 lead. The Tigers were perfect from the free-throw line and had 10 rebounds to the Owls' 11. 

The Tigers cut into the Owl's lead in the second quarter, scoring 22 points and outrebounding Rice by one while adding five assists. Rice continued its strong shooting performance, hitting 50% of its shots from the field. 

Rice built the lead to 16 in the third, but the Tigers refused to go away, continuing to battle back in the third, hitting seven free throws and forcing seven turnovers. 

The offense hit its stride in the fourth quarter, cutting a 14-point lead down to just one for Rice with 2:14 remaining. Pacific had opportunities to take the lead but could not hit the go-ahead shot in the final two minutes, while Rice went 14-18 from the charity stripe to build the lead back to ten by the end of the game. 

Senior Sam Ashby led the team with 23 points, a Tiger season high. Ashby led the team in rebounds with six and threes made with four. Sophomore Anaya James had a solid showing, scoring 18 points while adding a team-high six assists and two steals. Juniors Cecilia Holmberg and Liz Smith also reach double-digit scoring. This is the first time that the Tigers have had four players reach double-digit scoring in a game this season. 

The Tigers are back home at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in another men's and women's doubleheader. Academy of Art will travel to the Spanos Center to take on Pacific.